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The App Store is growing at an incredible rate. For every single possible type of app, there's a near overwhelming amount of choice out there. That's particularly noticeable for the writing app world. There's enough variety out there to ensure that users can use a different writing app every day of the week for the next five years, probably. We've taken the time to pick out some of our favorites from the category, as we round them up and figure out just what our overall pick of the bunch is.

Immediately tough to narrow things down to only half a dozen, we've singled out Byword, Wisdom Writer, iA Writer, Pages, Daedalus Touch and Textilus for a further look.

Byword is a great all-rounder writing app. Using Markdown formatting, it's simple to use and ideal for a variety of uses. It's possible to search within documents, track word and character counts, check spelling and grammar, as well as export to PDF or HTML. For a premium price of $4.99 it's possible to publish directly to WordPress, Tumblr, and Blogger, amongst others. However, that does make Byword a quite expensive solution, weighing in at $9.99 for the full complement of options, plus the exporting file facility is still quite limited.

Wisdom Writer aims to be an intuitive writing app. While it doesn't always hit the spot, with a few interface niggles, it's a great way of writing in an uncluttered environment. It's possible to add lists, images, and tables to one's writing, as well as text. A selection of predefined templates further ensure that the app is great for more professional writing as well as quickly scribbling down some notes. It's a pity then that the app can't open or import RTF, Docx, or Pages files despite extensive exporting features.

A minimalist delight, iA Writer dispenses with all the fanciness of many other writing apps, focusing on the writing experience alone. There are no formatting options to be seen, no file extensions to deal with, nothing more than just pure writing. While some users might find this limiting, it's tough not to be bewitched by its simple and effective syncing options covering Dropbox, iCloud, and the ability to switch between Apple devices running the app. A Focus mode and keyboard extensions further simplify the core writing process.

Notably different from the previous entry, Apple's very own Pages is a great app for creating professional documents while on the move and is nearly as simple to use as the Mac version. 16 templates and styles are available for those wanting to create letters, flyers, cards, posters, and more while on the move. iCloud support and the ability to drag documents from one's PC or Mac straight into the app are very useful. Lack of Dropbox support is a significant omission, though, for those who like to keep their documents safe in one place.

Capturing the minimalist feeling once more, Daedalus Touch does things a little differently. The focus is on the content, but there's no sign of a folder or file list. Instead, the app uses gestures to flick through paper stacks of files and notes. It's a technique that's unlike anything else here. Daedalus Touch isn't just about the looks though, including plenty of syncing support via Dropbox, iCloud, and others, as well as numerous ways to send a document to another app. Something that's going to be essential for those who want to do anything more than just type.

Unlike the other apps featured, Textilus offers support for a very significant form of writing. It caters for those who use Scrivener to form novels and particularly significant documents. Besides that, it's possible to export to numerous different document types such as PDF, RTF, TXT, PNG, Markdown, and HTML. Images, charts, and even one's own signature can be easily added through the app, and syncing support is quite varied. It does suffer from some buggy moments though, which are never welcome. Plus its interface could be clearer, especially where Dropbox support is concerned.

So what's our favorite writing app?

Much like anything on the App Store, this selection is suitably varied. Much of it comes down to individual needs. For instance, Daedalus Touch is undoubtedly the finest app for those seeking an absolutely minimalist experience, however it lacks some very useful features. iA Writer maintains the minimalist quality while still offering features such as Focus mode to keep one's interest. A file list system proves much simpler to navigate than Daedalus Touch's gesture driven methods.

Textilus might offer a huge wealth of options, particularly the ability to add one's own signature, but it suffers from some instability issues, plus it's only available for the iPad. In comparison, Pages enjoys the reassurance that comes from being so similar to a desktop app that will have been used by many before, but it is more expensive than most other apps here. Wisdom Writer offers a fine mix of a simple writing environment alongside great features, but its slightly limited in what it can open and its interface can be problematic.

Each of the contenders here are brilliant at certain roles, depending on how the user writes. Which is why our favorite might not be the best at everything, or the highest rated, but is a great all-rounder. That app is Byword.

Byword manages to straddle that thin line between not being so minimal that it lacks features, and not being so complex that it distracts users. It ticks all the major boxes; proving simple to sync between other Apple devices, offering offline access, a handy search tool, and comprehensive word and character counters. While it might be expensive to purchase publishing support, it gives users the flexibility to buy the tools that they want and not be cluttered by anything else. Even better, there's no need to spend ages consulting tutorials as it's immensely simple to get to grips with.

Feeling creative and want to write an epic on your iPhone or iPad? We've got you covered with our favorite four writing apps. I've rounded up some of the best of the bunch, each helping users write all kinds of different texts, from the next bestseller to a formal letter. There's even a great app for film scripting.

iA WriterMy personal favorite (I'm using the Mac version to write this article), ia Writer is ideal for the minimalist writer. Focused entirely on offering a simple and clear screen to enter text, it's easy to get wrapped up into the words rather than distracted by status bars. That's not to say it's a basic app, though, with iCloud support and Dropbox integration ensuring users can get back to writing, no matter where they are.

PagesA great all-rounder, Pages is a fine word processing tool. It's a little expensive but it offers plenty of functionality with a choice of 16 different and relevant templates, for projects such as simple letters to posters or reports. iCloud support is here, along with the ability to edit different document types including all the popular formats. There's even basic functionality for creating pie charts and other diagrams. It's suitably varied and full of features.

Daedalus TouchReturning to the minimalist trend, Daedalus Touch is ideal for those who want even more freedom for their words. No folders or file lists are needed here. Instead, users are presented with a virtual paper stack of sheets to navigate through with some very intuitive controls. For those looking to do more free writing and simply throw themselves into the words, Daedalus Touch is quite the delight. Plus, there's syncing functionality with Mac app, Ulysses III.

ContourIt's quite a specific tool but Contour will prove to be ideal for those who always reckoned they had a great movie idea but didn't know where to start. It's a story development system that makes it easy to start small and grow big, with a fill-in-the-blanks style approach. It doesn't matter if you've never had script writing experience, Contour will fix all that. Created by an Emmy Award-nominated writer, it's got the pedigree to be worth taking note of, too.

In what was another fantastic year in the world of iOS apps & games, we are here to bring you the fifty titles that we, the staff of 148Apps, thought were the best of the year. Here are the app titles 16 - 25 in our Best Apps of 2011:

iMovie- Video editing on the iPhone is revolutionary enough, but the extra screen space on the iPad makes this activity truly useful. Making movies is fun again, thanks in no small part to Apple's attention to detail in this flagship app.

Facebook - The wait was long for the iPad version but between its iconic look and intuitive menus systems, the official Facebook Universal app renders the competition obsolete. It's fantastic to have this in both flavors, for checking on the go or on the couch.

FX Photo Studio HD - Offering a plethora (194 at last count) of different photo effects without forgetting the bare essentials like crop and rotate, FX Photo Studio is a one stop shop for everything anyone might need in a photo editing app.

Dolphin Browser - With gesture based controls and a speed dial system of visiting regularly used sites, Dolphin has made my browsing experience so much faster this year. Safari continues to dominate as the default browser, but Dolphin Browser does so much more so much better.

Daedalus Touch - When we're writing complex, thoughtful pieces of journalism, we like to be undistracted by the cruft of modern computing, like Facebook, or ads. Daedalus Touch makes this possible but doesn't forget to include useful features like iCloud and Dropbox support.

GroupMe - We use this app all the darn time to chat amongst ourselves, even when we have nothing much to say. For private team meetings, SMS integration, and just plain great usability, GroupMe is our go to app. It's also accessible via the web, so no matter where we are, we can join in the conversation.

Stitcher - We love podcasts, and we love Universal apps. Stitcher has both! Using iTunes to download and listen to podcasts is so last year; Stitcher allows us to grab our favorites while on the go, and even provides curated lists for those of us craving that something new we haven't heard before.

Free Time - What can we say? Time-management is very important to us and this app makes it much easier than it used to be. Instead of the standard question of "where do we need to be," Free Time answers the much more subtle - yet equally important, "when do we not need to be anywhere?" This allows us to take that downtime when we can find it, or at least know we're not double booking ourselves. What? Like you've never done that.

Voice Actions - It's not exactly something that we NEED to get through our day, but we're still impressed by just how comprehensive this app is. It also allows us to satisfy our Siri envy until we all get a 4S phone to use. Use Voice Actions to call, text, search the internet, and even bring up favorite apps all with your voice, on any iOS device.

7Notes Premium HD - Need a note taking app with just a bit more to it? 7Notes Premium is a fantastic blend of handwriting recognition, note taking facility, and Evernote compatibility that makes something greater than the sum of its parts. While we'd love a Universal app, there is a version for both the iPad and the smaller devices, so most folks can use this one.